Used Sedan Buying Guide

Sedans At Our Pay Here Buy Here Car Lot

We’ve come a long way since the 1899 Renault Voiturette Type B, the first sedan ever made.
 

Perhaps one of the most versatile vehicles, the sedan hauls kids and pets; makes a great daily driver; gets reasonably good gas mileage; and is spacious enough to carry gear from place-to-place.

And before you think a sedan is the most boring vehicle to drive, take note that it got its name from the sedan chair, a special enclosed seat that servants carried on long poles in the front and back. Only important people rode in those sedans, and you can count yourself as an important person, too, as you drive off the AutoMax lot in a great used sedan.


AutoMax, serving the Raleigh, NC area, carries a wide variety of vehicles to meet everyone’s needs, and sedans are definitely included in our inventory. With so many makes and models to choose from, it may be difficult for you to pick your favorite. You have to weigh the pros and cons of each sedan by considering their features, like interior technology, engine power, and even fuel economy. We’ve done some of the work for you here, with our Used Sedan Buying Guide! Let’s take a look at some great used car options near the Research Triangle in North Carolina.

Used Ford Fusion

Ford first rolled out the Fusion in 2006, and since then, the automaker has been adding on extra features to please drivers. This year, 2020, marks the final year Ford will manufacture the Fusion, a sad revelation for lovers of this stylish, yet sporty sedan.

If you’re looking for a more fuel efficient vehicle, stick with the four-cylinder trimlines, the S and the SE. If you need more zip and power, you can get an optional V6 in the SE and SEL trims. Some even come with all-wheel drive, a great feature for winter driving conditions. For those concerned about fuel economy, you can consider the Fusion Hybrid. But you’ll also be pleased to know with its standard engine, the Fusion gets about 23 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway.

 

In 2007, Ford added additional standard safety equipment, including additional side airbags and antilock brakes. If you’re looking for more modern features, like built-in navigation or Ford’s SYNC system, you’ll want to watch for later models for sale in Raleigh-Durham. The Sport Appearance Package and Blue Suede Package added luxury equipment to this popular sedan, as well.


As used cars go, the Ford Fusion is an affordable one and makes a good buy because of its positive ratings from car experts and numerous awards. Over the years, our customers have told us how much they love the Fusion, so we usually have a few on our lots. It makes such a great buy here pay here car because of its affordability and universal aesthetic appeal.

Used Chevrolet Malibu

Don’t let the breezy name fool you — the Malibu is a sedan! But it’s history is very different from that of the Ford Fusion. If you’re looking for a car model with a storied history of excellence, the Malibu is for you. Chevrolet introduced the Malibu in 1964, part of the historic Chevelle line-up. It kept its sporty good looks until 1982, when it was discontinued — a sad day in Chevy history.

In 1997, Chevy introduced the all-new Malibu, but this time, it was a front-wheel-drive vehicle designed to appeal to sensible adult buyers and to compete with the likes of the Honda Accord — a far cry from its sports car roots. In 2004, the sixth-generation Malibu and a hybrid version debuted, followed by the seventh generation in 2008, when it became the largest sedan in its class.

Later-model Malibus have a variety of standard safety features added, and are reliable used cars, especially after the 2005 model year. These newer Malibus boast a fuel economy of up to 29 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway and come standard with a four-cylinder engine with options for larger ones available over the years.


Because the Malibu gets overall good marks from professional reviewers, both for its sleek stylings and safety ratings, it’s a great used car to find at our pay here buy here car lot near Raleigh, NC.

Used Toyota Prius

Drivers concerned with going green and getting great fuel economy should look to the Toyota Prius, the very first mass-produced hybrid car! The Prius made its debut in the US in 2001 and was highly sought-after for its combined average fuel economy of 50 miles per gallon (although drivers report much higher numbers–more than 80 miles per gallon at times). It was so popular, buyers had to be put on wait-lists to get their new Prius sedans! 

Newer Prius models have more legroom and cargo space than earlier ones, and Toyota looked to eco-friendly plastics to make the interior of the car just as green as the engine. 

The Prius enjoys one of the highest resale values for used cars on the market today, but because of the nature of its hybrid engine, the value rises and falls in response to fuel costs. Buyers also should know that the Prius requires a special battery pack, which are designed to last the entire life of the car, but it could need replacing; most come with an eight-to-10 year warranty on these battery packs.

Overall, a used Prius is a great option for a buy here pay here car, especially if you’re looking for something incredibly fuel efficient to get around the Youngsville, North Carolina or Henderson, North Carolina areas.

Used Volkswagen Jetta

If German engineering is your goal, the Volkswagen Jetta is a good starting point for the compact sedan category! 

Later model year Jettas have a 1.4-to-2.0 liter, 4-cylinder engine, or a 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder engine, with the option of the diesel-powered GLI, which offers the best fuel economy of all. Front-wheel drive is standard, as is an automatic transmission, although some Jetta drivers prefer the manual transmission models. 

Depending on the generation of Jetta you purchase, you’ll find different interior and mechanical features. If you have your heart set on any accessories in particular, you’ll want to do research on the model years that the Jetta offered those, particularly if you’re looking for the diesel-powered sedan.

Used Hyundai Elantra

During the early 2000s, Hyundai’s quality greatly improved, including the compact Hyundai Elantra. It comes as a five-passenger sedan, but also as a hatchback, wagon, or coupe. They all have four-cylinder engines and front-wheel drive, so it’s easy to pick the right trimline for you.

The fifth-generation of Elantra (2011-2016) got a dramatic new look, including a fastback silhouette that made this small sedan look like a sports car. The small, but zippy engine achieved a fuel economy between 25 and 36 miles per gallon, an impressive feat for a car with an available turbocharged option. The newer models (2017-2018) are more elegant, with the 2019-and-newer models back to the sportier look.

Hyundai’s stellar 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty is also attractive for the buyer looking for a reliable, inexpensive buy here pay here car that might still come with this factory guarantee. 

Get A Buy Here Pay Here Car At Auto Max

If you’re in need of a newer car, but have low credit, no credit, or a credit history that prevents you from getting an affordable auto loan, AutoMax is ready to help you. Come down to our pay here buy here car lot near Raleigh and Durham, NC, to choose from a selection of used cars you can afford. We’ll take care of you with our on-the-lot financing. You could drive off in a great pre-owned car today.